Time for Daniel and Henrik Sedin to Step Up

Now that Alex Burrows has signed and Ryan Kesler is speaking about taking less money to stay in Vancouver, it's time for the Sedins to step up.

Rumours abound that the Sedins are seeking $6 million each for a new contract.

Really?

Comparables in that range are Datsyuk and Zetterberg. Enough said.

Right now the two best players on the Vancouver Canucks are Kesler and Burrows. They are tenacious, quick and talented (see Datsyuk and Zetterberg). They score goals and kill penalties, they can cycle the puck and score off the rush.

They make players around them better, period.

The Sedins, on the other hand, have been "looking" for a winger for years (Pyatt, Bernier, Naslund etc.). Why, you ask? Until now (with the exception of Anson Carter, scoring garbage goals) the Sedins were content to play four on five, because they would rarely pass the puck to anyone without the same last name.

The cycle became the most boring thing in the NHL since Jacques Lemaire employed the trap. The truth is "the sniper" Daniel does not possess a great shot, and Henrik seems afraid to shoot.

The truth is Kesler and Burrows play with the infectious energy that forces players to step up. Burrows has made the Sedins better, more effective. Kesler has given life to Sundin and Demitra.

Now the question remains—do the Sedins really believe they are worth three times the money that Alex Burrows is making? If so they may very likely be playing in a different city next year.

Mike Gillis has done a good job of turning the franchise into a place that young players want to play. When the Sedins were young, the city, the GM and the team gave them time to grow. They are very good hockey players, but now is the time for them to step up both in their play and in their commitment to a city that let them do what they like best, play together.

The truth is that both Kesler and Burrows have done something (in saying they are willing to take less pay) that may have negative implications. After all, guys who play like they do getting 60-70 points, getting paid $2 million per season will alter the comparables around the league. While fans may find this admirable, some of their union brothers may not.

So whatcha say, Daniel and Hank? Wanna stick around and win a Cup or are you ready for an obscure future in Florida, Atlanta, or Nashville?